Page 118 of My Lucky Star
“Tea?” Cem called across the room, pointing at the kitchen. “We have a bit of time, right?” Gone was the awkwardness of his performance. His smile shone with familiar confidence, lighting up the room.
“Yes, absolutely,” Lindsay responded with a huge smile, then turned to me, lowering her voice. “What’s his deal? Is he single?”
My response erupted loud, fast and unfiltered. “No, he’s not.”
Lindsay raised her hands, taking a step back. “I see. Apologies.”
My heart pounding, I followed Cem into the kitchen. He was mine. Mine. Lindsay would regret the day she tried to make a move on my Cem.
I found him filling the electric jug and surged in front of him, looking straight into those deep brown eyes, placing my hands on the chest of his ridiculous dungarees. “What are you doing to me, Cem? I just went crazy jealous bitch over you. I basically told Lindsay to back off.”
His mouth curved into a victorious smile as he flicked on the jug and slid his hands around my waist. “Thank you. That woman scares me.”
My heart pounded and my palms felt sticky with sweat. “I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you’d forget about me.”
He shook his head, tightening his hold on me. “Never.“
Overcome by emotion, my head fell on his chest, and I squeezed my eyelids. “I tried so hard to forget you.”
“You can’t. I live inside your memory palace, Aria. I moved in with all my stuff.”
“You did!” I laughed shakily. “It’s strewn across the floor and the bed. You’re the messiest guy I know.”
He held me so tight I could barely breathe. I felt him draw a ragged breath, his body shuddering. “When you left... I never knew anything could hurt so much.” His voice was thick and throaty.
Remorse strangled my throat. “I’m so sorry. I should have fought for us. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was the only one getting hurt.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I thought you were somehow... divine. Bullet proof.”
He grabbed my shoulders, raw pain behind his eyes. “I’m a guy who’s in love with you. You can hurt me so easily it’s not funny.”
“I’m sorry, Cem.” I forced myself to meet his burning gaze. “I thought I knew what you wanted. Or needed.”
“Just like Emir.” He heaved a sigh, leaning his forehead against mine. “I’m so tired of it.”
“What did he say when you turned down the role?”
“Not much. I think he’s still processing it. Figuring out what to do without that big paycheck.”
I glanced at the door, wondering if the other crew members were holding back on using the kitchen to give us privacy. Cem buried his face into my hair, kissing me behind the ear.
“What about your dad’s treatment?” I asked, trying to focus. I could easily lose myself in his arms.
“I sold my boat,” he murmured, inhaling me.
“Seriously? Why?” I tried to pull away to catch his eye, but he held me too tight.
“Because I needed the money, and that was the most expensive, useless thing I owned.”
“It’s not useless.”
He finally met my gaze, eyes full of fire. “Well, I used it as a place to hook up, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”
He stood so close that his presence filled my every sense, warmth spreading down my limbs with each breath I drew, with each lungful of his scent. I had to take a step back, to get to the end of my burning questions.
“So, you’re not going to be a committed bachelor anymore?”
